AIR BAG CUSHIONED CARRIAGE ACTUATOR
Click on the following link to see animation of Air Bag Cushioned Carriage Actuator:Link to Actuator AnimationThis is a 3.25" bore cylinder with oversize rod and an integral air bag
cushion feature for high shock applications such as log carriages featuring:

4.25" stroke air cushion

very low maintenance

absorbs shock load from knees to reduce stress and wear and tear on carriage frame, wheel bearings and track

also available are spherical bearing equipped rod eyes and custom designed trunnion bracket assemblies

highly recommended for log diameters of 36" and greater

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION:
The Sharpe air bag cushioned hydraulic carriage actuator makes use of the fact that air is compressible and is less resistant to flow than hydraulic oil. Even high speed hydraulic pressure reliefs can not react fast enough to prevent the log loading shock from being passed through
to the carriage frame.

Click drawing for larger view.

When a log hits the carriage knee, the air bag
begins to collapse instantly when a force of
4600 lbs (air @ 100 psig) is felt by the actuator.
Simultaneously, energy is dissipated as air is
relieved from the air bag through the air
pressure regulator. The "firmness" of the
cushion action can be adjusted (via the
pressure regulator) to suit the range of log
sizes being sawn.

The entire knee and hydraulic cylinder move during the cushioning
and return against a hard urethane stop to
ensure repeatability of the setworks. Unlike a
hydraulic relief, the air bag will cushion even
if the piston/rod/knee are fully retracted such
as when very large logs are to be loaded.

OTHER AIR BAG CUSHIONED APPLICATIONS:Also available are air cushioned actuators using a 2.5"
bore hydraulic actuator to position pressrolls on Chip 'N'
Saw style infeed systems. These allow tracking
of a log profile with the hydraulic actuator. Force control
and floating of the pressroll over log surface irregularities
is achieved with the air cushion stroke. These actuators
have also been used on edgers for prepositioning and
force control of the pressrolls.

Click image to see animation of a 2.5" bore air bag cushioned actuator.

Click drawing for larger view.

Click HERE to see short videos of 2.5 inch bore air bag cushioned actuator in action on Chip N Say style log line turn control on infeed.

Click HERE to see short videos of 2.5 inch bore air bag cushioned actuator in action on Chip N Say style log line pressrolls.